She had originally worked as a singer on the nightclub circuit with her sister, Betty, before going solo even appearing on the same bills as such established comedians as Les Dawson and Freddie Starr. It was during this period that she first encountered Elizabeth Dawn and Lynne Perrie who would later go on to make their mark in Coronation Street as Vera Duckworth and 'poison' Ivy Tilsley.

As well as TV work she appeared in two films: Spend Spend Spend in 1977 and Yanks (1979).

She was married to Alex from 1948 until her death and had one son, David, born in 1961 both of whom survive her.